Police aim to ensure a safe Pan Am Games for everyone

Police have started working on a plan to ensure safety and security during the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Hamilton Police Superintendent Dan Kinsella says nothing has been finalized, but he anticipates an “all hands on deck” scenario which may involve cancelling annual leave or even shutting down the courthouse during the games.

He notes that Hamilton is expected to host one-third of all spectators next summer, even though local venues make up only 3% of the games “footprint”.

Kinsella says that means being ready for anything, stressing that “if I’m somebody that’s involved in the world of terror or espionage, or I’m just not happy with the way the banking system’s going today, I’m probably targeting where I get the most people”.

Kinsella adds that police will be working with residents in the area of the Pan Am Stadium to minimize the disruption on their lives. That includes knowing who gets Meals on Wheels or “who has Community Care Access people coming in”.